Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 19: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has indicated that Washington may review its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, saying the United States would assess whether its current recommendation should be downgraded in view of improved security conditions in the region.

Gor made the remarks after meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He said the United States periodically reassesses its travel warnings and that the security measures taken by the government in Jammu and Kashmir would be considered as part of any review.

“The United States puts out travel warnings and every so often we re-evaluate those travel warnings. I cannot make any big announcements here today but it is something that we are going to look at,” Gor said.

He said the governments in New Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir had taken “incredible steps” towards improving safety in the region.

“We believe have made some incredible steps to keeping this area safer and making it more safe. So, we will be looking at if the travel warning that is imposed, that is recommended by the United States is something that should be downgraded,” he said.

Describing Kashmir as a beautiful destination, the US envoy said he believed many Americans would enjoy visiting the region and experiencing its natural beauty and opportunities.

“This is a beautiful area, I think a lot of Americans would enjoy coming here and seeing the beauty and opportunity that exists here,” he said.

Gor's remarks came amid calls from political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir for the United States to reconsider its travel advisory, which has been viewed as a major hurdle for international tourism in the region.

Earlier in the day, People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti urged the US ambassador to review and withdraw the highest-level travel advisory issued by Washington against visiting Kashmir.

In a post on X, Mufti said thousands of families in Kashmir depend on tourism for their livelihoods and argued that the advisory had consequences beyond simply warning travellers.

“The least the US Ambassador Sergio Gor @USAmbIndia can do is review and withdraw the highest level travel advisory against visiting Kashmir,” Mufti said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the advisory amounted to a barrier between Kashmir and the international community.

“It is a wall between Kashmir and the world. Lifting it would send a powerful message of confidence, help bring back international tourists and give much-needed relief to countless families whose livelihoods depend on tourism,” she said.

The possible review of the US travel advisory could provide a boost to Jammu and Kashmir's tourism sector, which has sought greater international visitor participation following improvements in security and efforts to promote the region as a tourist destination.